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Fractures of the Heel Bone

Fractures of the Heel Bone

Fractures of the heel bone that is known as calcaneus, usually happen after injuries, such as a falling down from altitude or accident. Relying on the Intensity of the injury, the damage will be extensive and in some cases may require surgery.
It is worth mentioning that several kinds of fracture models exist that might happen with damage to the heel bone. Some of them have rather ordinary patterns in which the joint won’t get involved and heal remines without any long term troubles. On the other hand, other kinds are more complicated with segment displacement. This kind of heel condition is really challenging to heal appropriately. In this situation surgical treatments of fracture of the heel bone is necessary. Different kinds of fractures of the heel bone are:

  • Intra-articular fractures: In this condition the gristle among the joints gets hurt. In fact Intra-articular fractures are considered as the most dangerous kind of heel fracture.
  • Avulsion fractures: A part of bone is avulsed away from the heel bones.
  • Multiple fracture fragments/ crushed heel injury: This type is very common with wounds such as falling down from a height or vehicle accident.
  • Stress fractures: This disease can cause excessive use or reiterative trauma.

Causes

A fracture of heel bone happens when an extreme pressure breaks the heel bone against the talus. The joint between the calcaneus and the talus is known as the subtalar joint, and it is an essential biomechanical component of flexing, standing, and walking and couples with the ankle joint for dynamic motion. In most cases, the subtalar joint gets involved in this kind of fracture. Thus this fracture causes long term disease with the joint like persistent pain, tightness and the increasing risk of arthritis.

signs of fractures of the heel bone are:

  • Feeling extreme pain and ache
  • Appearing vast inflammation and bruises in the heel area
  • Disability of tolerating weight

In case that the heel pain gradually gets worse, it may be a symptom of stress fractures.

Treatment of Fractures of the Heel Bone in Dubai

However fractures of heel bone are obviously hard to treat, and typically need protracted healing times. But our ankle surgeon in Dubai will evaluate your wound and decide whichever to treat the trouble surgically or non-surgically.

Non-surgical Treatment

Non-surgical or conservative treatment is the most suitable option for simple, not- moved fracture patterns, specifically if the joint doesn’t get involved. In addition, non-surgical treatment might be recommended to the smokers, aged patients, and diabetic patients or people with vascular disease who are at higher risk for surgical elaboration like infection.
These non-surgical treatments are:

  • Not putting weight on the injured foot
  • Using immobilization cast, splint or fracture boot
  • Putting ice to the ankle
  • Compression
  • Taking pain medications
  • Doing physical therapy
Surgery is the best approach for extreme conditions that can’t be treated by non-surgical approaches.

There are two kinds of surgical treatment:

  • Open Surgical Approach
  • Percutaneous Approach (less invasive)